BIG Brother is guilty of 'legitimising' bullying in schools, a teachers' leader has warned.

Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT union, told an anti-bullying seminar in Manchester that the Channel 4 programme made it difficult for her members to beat the problem.

She said: "Tackling bullying is made even more difficult by its seeming legitimisation through particular television programmes. How do you discourage bullying when youngsters see celebrity status and money can be acquired on the basis of shouting and swearing at others, when there is a clear implication that to be successful in business goes hand in hand with rude and aggressive treatment of others?"

Big Brother faced thousands of complaints and calls for the show to be dropped after Jade Goody and other contestants allegedly bullied and used racist abuse to target Indian contestant Shilpa Shetty.

Ms Keates added: "The whole concept of Big Brother is based on encouraging aggression, confrontation and bullying."

Ms Keats also warned that pupils are using modern technology to bully their teachers.

She says internet forums, video-share sites and mobile phones are being used by some pupils to harass staff.

Ms Keates said: "Websites such as Rate My Teacher and You Tube are causing a lot of concern. Pupils can leave anonymous messages about teachers which are very distressing."